Use of platform-independent code for supporting services in an intelligent network

Abstract

A system and method for implementing services in an intelligent network of a telecommunications system. Upon registration of a subscriber station in a mobile telecommunications network, a plurality of triggers associated with the subscriber are downloaded to a switch that is handling the call. Subsequently, a trigger condition is detected at the switch, and a query signal is sent to a server storing data for responding to the trigger condition. In response to the query signal, a bundle of platform independent code comprising instructions for executing a particular service is downloaded to the switch. The code is executed at the switch to implement the particular service, and appropriate actions are taken in accordance with the implemented service.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for implementing services in an intelligent network of a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: 
       detecting a telecommunications event in the telecommunications system;  
       downloading executable, platform independent code from a source node in the telecommunications system to a receiving node in the telecommunications system in response to said detection of the telecommunications event; and  
       executing, at the receiving node, the platform independent code to implement the telecommunications service feature.  
     
     
       2. The method of claim  1  wherein the telecommunications event comprises a trigger condition. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim  2  wherein the step of downloading platform independent code to the receiving node further comprises the steps of: 
       transmitting a query signal to a server associated with subscriber associated with said telecommunications event; and  
       receiving the platform independent code from the server.  
     
     
       4. The method of claim  3  wherein the query signal includes an indication that the receiving node is capable of executing platform independent code. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim  3  further comprising the step of transporting the platform independent code over a TCP/IP network. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim  5  wherein the platform independent code includes at least one JAVA applet. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim  1  wherein the telecommunications event occurs in connection with a call connection. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim  7  further comprising the step of processing the call connection in accordance with the implemented service feature. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim  1  further comprising the step of receiving a security code from said source node before executing the platform independent code. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim  1  wherein the telecommunications event occurs in connection with a registration access. 
     
     
       11. A system for implementing services in a telecommunications network, comprising: 
       a remote server storing a portable, platform-independent code describing at least one service;  
       a telecommunications switch for routing calls involving a subscriber station, the switch detecting a trigger condition and, in response to the detected trigger condition, issuing a request for instructions for responding to the trigger condition;  
       a processor associated with the switch;  
       a communications link between the processor and the remote server, said link transporting the portable, platform-independent code from the remote server to the processor in response to the request for instructions; and  
       wherein the processor associated with the switch executes the portable, platform-independent code to provide a particular telecommunications service to the switch.  
     
     
       12. The system of claim  11  wherein the remote server comprises a service control point. 
     
     
       13. The system of claim  11  wherein the processor is located in a service control point in some way associated with the subscriber. 
     
     
       14. The system of claim  11  wherein the remote server comprises a home location register in a mobile telecommunications network. 
     
     
       15. The system of claim  11  wherein the remote server comprises a visitor location register in a mobile telecommunications network. 
     
     
       16. The system of claim  11  wherein the communications link comprises a TCP/IP link. 
     
     
       17. The system of claim  11  wherein the communications link comprises a link in a Signal Switching No.  7  network. 
     
     
       18. The system of claim  11  wherein the processor is located in the telecommunications switch. 
     
     
       19. The system of claim  11  further comprising a local server, the local server receiving said request for instructions from the switch and forwarding said request for instructions to the remote server. 
     
     
       20. The system of claim  19  wherein the processor is located in the local server. 
     
     
       21. The system of claim  19  wherein the local server comprises a service control point in some way associated with the subscriber. 
     
     
       22. The system of claim  11  wherein the switch stores customized trigger data associated with the network subscriber. 
     
     
       23. A method for implementing services in a telecommunications network, comprising the steps of: 
       retrieving trigger data associated with a selected subscriber station, the trigger data defining a specified trigger condition;  
       storing the trigger data in a telecommunications node of the network;  
       detecting the specified trigger condition at the telecommunications node;  
       retrieving platform independent code from a remote server in response to the detection of the specified trigger condition; and  
       executing the platform independent code at the telecommunications node to implement a telecommunications service.  
     
     
       24. The method of claim  23  wherein the remote server stores subscriber data associated with the particular subscriber station, the stored subscriber data including the platform independent code. 
     
     
       25. The method of claim  23  wherein the trigger data is retrieved in response to a detection of the subscriber station in the telecommunications network. 
     
     
       26. The method of claim  25  wherein the detection of the subscriber station includes receiving a registration signal from the subscriber station. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim  25  wherein the detection of the subscriber station includes connecting a call involving the subscriber station. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim  23  further comprising the step of selecting a service for execution at the telecommunications node, the selected service corresponding to the specified trigger condition, and wherein the platform independent code comprises instructions for implementing the selected service. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim  28  wherein the step of retrieving the platform independent code further comprises the steps of: 
       transmitting a query signal to the remote server, the query signal identifying the trigger condition; and  
       transferring the platform independent code from the remote server to the telecommunications node over a communications link.  
     
     
       30. The method of claim  29  wherein the query signal includes an indication that the telecommunications node supports an execution of platform independent code.